Samara Baker

Experience

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  Staging Connections (NZ)

  Jan 2005 - Mar 2008

  Event Staging Manager

  2006 - Employee of the Year2005 - Operator Level One – Audio, Lighting, Vision2005 - Certificate Three in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operation)When I started at Staging Connections I spent eleven months training and qualifying as an audiovisual technician. Once qualified I moved into a sales and management role - working in various venues during my time with the company. I worked with clients, prepared proposals and ensured the smooth running of all events, as well as being involved in crew allocation, rostering, and the day to day running of the venue. This included hands on technical work on large events. Show less

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  University of Auckland

  Mar 2008 - Dec 2010

  Studying
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  New Zealand

  Feb 2011 - Sept 2011

  Classroom Teacher

  Worked with people of all ages and abilities using various teaching techniques to ensure the best outcomes for my students. Tailored teaching styles for individual needs and adapted resources and lesson plans as required to ensure maximum engagement.

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  Flight Centre (NZ) Ltd and Flight Centre (UK) Ltd

  Nov 2011 - Sept 2014

  Personal Travel Manager

  2013 - 1.5Million Consultant - National Sales Award, Global Qualifier2012 - 100K Novice - National Sales Award2011 - ATTO National Certificate in TravelWorked on multiple proposals and itineraries at once, for all kinds of travellers from young families to CEO's of large companies. Constantly and pro-actively worked to increase sales and targets, whilst ensuring that team goals are achieved. Provided management cover and support as required.

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  Eclipse Presentations

  Oct 2014 - Oct 2015

  Area Manager

  Oversaw the day to day operations of the Audiovisual teams at various sites in London including: The InterContinental London Park Lane, Marriot Grosvenor Square, One Whitehall Place, Thistle Marble Arch, The Cumberland and Amba Hotel Charing Cross. Revised sales training and identified areas for improvement to ensure all teams were meeting KPIs, controlled budgets, staff, operations, delivery of services and production of events while also implementing new procedures to achieve constant growth, customer loyalty and staff retention. Broke the sales record for the largest venue during my first six months when I was the Venue Manager. Show less

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  Macquarie Group

  Jun 2015 - May 2017

  Manage relationships across all areas of the business to ensure that projects assigned to the Business Management team are executed seamlessly and successfully. Projects include evaluating and redesigning our current training procedures , researching new business proposals, overseeing logistics for company events, cost/revenue analysis and reporting, and providing system support and training for our deal management system. Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, Senior Managing Director of Financial Sponsors, Managing Director of Debt Capital Markets and his team of ten people of various levels - Diary management, organising and managing meetings, email and phone monitoring, booking all travel arrangements, assisting with presentations, and many other ad-hoc duties as required

  • Senior Associate, Business Management

    Sept 2015 - May 2017

  • Executive Assistant

    Jun 2015 - May 2017
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  Traveler

  Jul 2017 - Nov 2017

  Traveling

  I left London in July to make my way back to New Zealand, and arrived at the end of November. I took the opportunity to see more of the world before settling in back home – traveling the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Iceland and the United States while blogging about my journey.

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  Air New Zealand

  Feb 2018 - Jun 2020

  Managed and grew a multi-million dollar portfolio across Auckland, Waikato and the Coromandel.Administered training, introduced incentives and partnered with businesses to drive revenue growth.Represented the company both nationally and internationally. Presented at conferences, trade events, and exhibitions. Temporary cover assignment as Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Strategy Networks and Alliances - Diary management, organising and managing meetings, email and phone monitoring, booking all travel arrangements, assisting with presentations, and many other ad-hoc duties as required.Temporary cover assignment as Personal Assistant to the GM of Digital Customer and Commercial Product and the GM of Data and Analytics

  • Retail Account Manager

    Jun 2018 - Jun 2020

  • Executive Assistant

    Feb 2018 - May 2018
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  Foodstuffs North Island Limited

  Sept 2020 - now

  EA to Chief Digital Officer